Spyker has taken the wraps off its latest sports car at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the new Spyker C8 Preliator. This third-generation Spyker sports car features as standard a Head-Up Display (HUD), which is typically found in fighter jets – a nod to the sports car maker’s aviation heritage.

Its name is only fitting, as "Preliator" means "fighter" or "warrior" in Latin and “Fighters” are warplanes that Spyker built between 1914 and 1918. Moreover, "Preliator" has come to symbolize the challenges that Spyker had overcome in the past few years.

A personification of Spyker’s vaunted craftsmanship, the new Spyker C8 Preliator is designed for clients who know the value of bespoke features and the attention to detail of vehicles that Spyker has built in the past and have offered to the public for 15 years now.

Spyker is intending to produce around 50 examples of the new Spyker C8 Preliator, thereby guaranteeing that this third-generation sports car is as exclusive as ever.

The sports car maker, its dedicated production crew and partner CPP Metalcraft plan to assemble the first examples of the new Spyker C8 Preliator in Coventry, United Kingdom. CPP Metalcraft has been Spyker’s partner since 2000.

Pricing starts at €324,900 (with manual gearbox, excluding options and taxes) and at €330,990 for the model equipped with automatic gearbox, excluding options and taxes.

Exterior Design

More than any of its previous models, this third-generation Spyker sports car is inspired by the sports car maker’s aviation heritage, with emphasis on aircraft air intakes, the so-called NACA ducts. Thus, Spyker’s signature architecture has evolved from propeller design emphasis found on the first-generation cars and turbine engine-inspired design on second generation cars.

Indeed, Spyker implemented a number of styling changes on the new car to improve its aerodynamic performance, and these design modifications were all aviation-inspired. For instance, Spyker replaced the air scoop on the canopy with a NACA duct to reduce drag and added small ailerons to the front splitter and side skirts to redirect the airflow.

Moreover, Spyker got rid of the shark-like gills for a cleaner, smoother look and redesigned the rear diffuser to enhance its functionality. Also, the signature V-shaped grille with honeycomb mesh is now distinguished by a central pillar that made its debut in 2013 on the Spyker B6 Venator concept car.

The Spyker C8 Preliator also employs LEDs for the indicators and the sidelights in the headlight. Additionally, Spyker integrated the brake light into the rear panel for smooth flowing design lines. Capping off the exterior improvements are 19-inch Turbofan wheels with a mirror polish finish.

Interior Design

Inside, the new Spyker C8 Preliator boasts of a roomy and comfortable cabin with improved ergonomics. Its interior is made of the highest quality leather that is available in 14 standard colors. Of course, customers could opt to have the interior leather specified in the color of their preference.

At the Geneva Motor Show, the new Spyker C8 Preliator features a Saddle interior with white honeycomb stitching – with matching the mesh in the grille -- and an ivory leather headlining. Spyker revised the car’s dashboard not only to match the new exterior design but also to improve ergonomics and functionality.

The carmaker made the air vents inside the car feature a turbine design and improved performance and distribution of the air conditioning. The car features a dashboard-mounted multifunctional HUD where drivers could access the vehicle’s navigation system.

Customer may avail of optional machined Chronoswiss dials and switches. Now, the third-generation Spyker sports car is equipped with a high-end sound system that includes Apple iPhone connectivity, a digital radio and Bluetooth interface.

Powertrain

Providing the propulsion power for the Spyker C8 Preliator is an improved supercharged Audi 4.2 liter V8 engine that develops up to 525 bhp and is paired to either a standard six-speed Getrag manual transmission or an optional ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Providing the stopping power for the new Spyker C8 Preliator are brakes from AP Racing, featuring black calipers as standard while color-coded calipers and carbon ceramic brakes are optional. Both standard and optional calipers feature Spyker script.

As for the Spyker C8 Preliator shown at the Geneva Motor Show, it features Satin Gold calipers to match the air box. This dynamic car from Spyker is housed in an all-aluminum space frame made of extrusions, folded sheet aluminum, extruded aluminum side-impact bars and integral rollover bars.

All of these were redesigned to increase their torsional rigidity as well as incorporate the Lotus supplied suspension system. Not only that, Spyker also made the C8 Preliator longer than its predecessor to pave way for more driving comfort and stability when driving at high speeds.

As expected of Spyker, a lot of work was done to boost the efficiency of the space frame of the new C8 Preliator. In fact, Spyker used modern finite elements and numerical optimization methods to make the structure 10-percent stiffer than its predecessor at 24,000 Nm/degree.

Furthermore, Spyker employed rigid-node and load-path technology to ensure that the process used the least amount of aluminum to make the space frame as stiff and rigid as it is, thereby cutting the vehicle’s overall weight. Also, the sports car maker thoroughly tuned the dynamic stiffness characteristics of the space frame to reduce unwanted cabin noises and vibrations.

For shock absorbing capability, Spyker equipped the new C8 Preliator with a Lotus front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension system that employs a new kinematic layout of the front and rear suspension. It also employs front and rear stabilizer bars, coil over damper steel springs and mono-tube dampers as well as anti-dive and anti-squat setup.

As much as possible, these components have been made of forged aluminum to keep the unsprung weight of new C8 Preliator as low as possible. Likewise, Spyker placed the shock absorbers vertically within the wishbones. Moreover, the C8 Preliator sits, as standard, on 19-inch alloy Turbofan wheels -- inspired by the turbine blades of a jet engine – and wrapped by Michelin tires with 235/35 size at the front and up to 295/30 at the rear.

The Spyker C8 Preliator could be specified in any of the 16 standard colors, although customers may opt to have their car wrapped in their preferred color. Customers may even opt for the sporty Spyker Squadron GT2 color scheme. C8 Preliator on display is wrapped in Satin Jet Grey.

Press Release

WORLD DEBUT FOR THE SPYKER C8 PRELIATOR AT THE 86th GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

Victor R. Muller, Spyker's Founder and Chief Executive Officer said on the occasion of the unveiling: "The greatest man in our industry, Enzo Ferrari, once said: 'What's behind you, doesn't matter'. What does matter is the fact that we have returned to Geneva today to unveil the worthy successor to the Spyker C8 Aileron, launched right here in 2009, of which the last five units are being assembled in our new production facilities in Coventry, the United Kingdom."

The Spyker C8 Preliator's design represents the ultimate translation of our aviation heritage to a "road jet", a plane without wings, reflected among others in the Head-Up Display, fitted as standard to every car. It is the epitome of our unrivaled craftsmanship. By mounting a supercharger to the Audi V8 engine we have improved the performance of the Spyker C8 Preliator significantly as compared to its predecessor and its exclusivity is warranted since we will produce a mere 50 units.

The "Preliator" name, which means "fighter" or "warrior" in latin, pays tribute to that aviation heritage: "Fighters" are warplanes as made by Spyker between 1914 and 1918. But even more so, "Preliator" symbolises the uphill battles Spyker faced and won in the past couple of years.

The Spyker C8 Preliator is made for discerning owners who appreciate the attention to detail and bespoke features we have offered them for over a decade and a half now. Our dedicated crew will assemble the first cars in Coventry, UK, together with CPP Metalcraft, our very first partner since we started Spyker back in 2000, as of the last quarter of this year.

When I designed the Spyker C8 Preliator I wanted it to ooze the sheer tenacity and determination with which we created a new dawn for our company and by launching it here today we pay homage to the latin axiom which has adorned the Spyker propellor logo since 1914 "Nulla tenacia invia est via" - for the tenacious no road is impassable".

THE SPYKER C8 PRELIATOR

Design

The Spyker C8 Preliator's contemporary design is even more heavily inspired by Spyker's aviation heritage than any of our previous models with a clear emphasis on the typical aircraft air intakes, the so-called NACA ducts, and represents the latest evolution of Spyker's signature architecture.

In the first-generation cars, the propeller design was consistently applied to many elements of the cars. The second generation cars showed a transition to turbine engine inspired design. Within the design of the new third generation cars, the Spyker C8 Preliator, the emphasis has shifted to submerged air intakes, the so-called NACA ducts, as used in the aviation industry.

In order to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the car, several changes in styling were made so as to reduce drag such as the replacement of the air scoop on the canopy by a NACA duct. Small ailerons were added to the front splitter and side skirts to redirect the airflow optimally. The shark-like gills have been abandoned, which results in a cleaner, smoother appearance. The glass canopy has a reflective gold coating applied to it as used in jet fighters. The trademark V-shaped grille with honeycomb mesh is now characterised by the central pillar first seen on the Spyker B6 Venator concept car shown here in 2013. Also the rear diffuser was redesigned for improved functionality. Small winglets mounted on the front splitter and side skirts optimize the airflow.

The CNC-machined stainless steel rear lights are made of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) emulating fighter jet afterburners. LED lights were also used for the indicators and the sidelights in the headlight units.The brake light has been sculpted into the rear panel so as to ensure smooth flowing design lines. Elegantly aggressive 19" Turbofan™ wheels are shown in a mirror polish finish.

The Spyker C8 Preliator is available in 16 standard colours, but customers may choose any colour they wish as an option, as well as the sporty Spyker Squadron GT2 colour scheme. The C8 Preliator shown here has a new colour called Satin Jet Grey. Spyker will meet any demand of its discerning owners to create an absolutely bespoke car of which he or she will never find another one.

All-Aluminium Space Frame Chassis

The Spyker C8 Preliator's all-aluminium space frame composed of extrusions and folded sheet aluminium and extruded aluminium side-impact bars and integral rollover bars was redesigned with the objective to further increase torsional rigidity and to incorporate the Lotus supplied suspension system. These characteristics provide an ideal foundation for enhanced vehicle dynamics.

Moreover, the C8 Preliator's dimensions have been optimised, the car is longer than its predecessor, providing for more driving comfort and stability at high speeds. Spyker has put tremendous efforts in the space frame performance of the C8 Preliator, specifically the structure's efficiency. The utilisation of modern finite element and numerical optimization methods has allowed Spyker's engineers to arrive at an exceptionally stiff structure of 24.000Nm/degree, a 10% improvement over the previous model. Rigid-node and load-path technology has been employed in order to ensure that the minimum amount of aluminium is used to achieve this performance, thus reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. The dynamic stiffness characteristics of the structure have been carefully tuned in order to minimize unwanted cabin noises and vibrations, which may otherwise detract from the driving experience. These technologies and measures have allowed Spyker to arrive at the most efficient chassis in its history.

The Spyker C8 Preliator will use the Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine Spyker has used since its inception but now boasting 525 bhp as a result of a supercharger and will be available with two transmission alternatives. The Spyker C8 Preliator will be fitted as standard with a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to the V8 supercharged engine. A ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, which comes standard with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel to progress smoothly through the ratios is an option. Both transmissions retain Spyker's trademark exposed gear change mechanism.

Interior

The Spyker C8 Preliator has more interior space, which results in a higher comfort level and improved ergonomics. The interior, with its typical Spyker attention to detail, is made of the highest quality leather available in the market. The leather interior is available in 14 standard colours, but any other colour – if desired by the customer – can be ordered as an option. The car on display has a Saddle interior with white honeycomb stitching (matching the mesh in the grille) and an ivory leather headlining.

The dashboard was redesigned to suit the new exterior design and to improve ergonomics and functionality. Air vents are designed in turbine style and the performance and distribution of the air conditioning was improved significantly. A multifunctional Head-Up Display is integrated and placed atop the dash board. Machined Chronoswiss dials and switches are available as an option.

In-Car Entertainment

With larger numbers of cars going into the market and the increased popularity of the Apple iPhone and similar products, the demand for a standard sound system fitted by the factory increased. As a result, every Spyker C8 Preliator will be equipped as standard with a highend sound system, incorporating a digital radio, Bluetooth interface and Apple iPhone connectivity. The navigation system is operated from the Head-Up Display.

Suspension & Wheels

The C8 Preliator is fitted with a Lotus front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension system. This suspension system includes a new kinematic layout of the front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, mono-tube dampers, coil over damper steel springs, anti-dive and anti- squat setup for improved handling properties. The suspension components are made of forged aluminium where possible, to keep the vehicle's unsprung weight as low as possible. Shock absorbers are placed vertically within the wishbones.

The Preliator has newly-designed 19-inch alloy Turbofan™ wheels as standard. These wheels are inspired by the turbine blades of a jet engine, which hints at Spyker's aviation heritage. The Michelin 235/35 size tyres at the front and up to 295/30 at the rear provide the necessary road holding.

Brakes

Brakes are supplied by AP Racing, a partner from day one. Black brake calipers with Spyker script are standard. Colour-coded calipers with Spyker script can be ordered as an option. The car on display has Satin Gold calipers which match the air box. Carbon ceramic brakes will be available as an option.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Body StyleTwo-seat, two-door body made in carbon fibre. Hood and rear deck lid in aluminium. Xenon headlights with LED sidelights and indicators. LED taillights. NACA ducts provide cooling and air intake. Small winglets on the front splitter and side skirts redirect the air flow along the car. Chassis number plaque on sill (1 of 50).